Holden workers facing more downtime

Workers at Holden’s Elizabeth plant are facing an uncertain future yet again as the car maker considers cutting production because of a drop in sales.

With a new model to be rolled out in the coming months, sales of the Commodore have stalled and the company is struggling to sell what is left of the current version.

Holden is set to offer hefty discounts to clear out stock, but it won’t rule out cutting back its daily production of 400 cars – which could mean more downtime for workers at Elizabeth.

Unions say it comes as no surprise.

“That’s the nature of the beast with automotive manufacturing really,” said Jon Gee from the Manufacturing Workers Union.

On a positive note for the state’s economy, experts say tax relief for some new home buyers and city dwellers is lifting construction out of a 30-year low.

“It must be remembered that South Australia is coming off a very low base and we probably did it tougher,” said Robert Harding from the Master Builders Association.